RELIEF WORKS PAY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16827, 14 December 1928, Page 6

RELIEF WORKS PAY

STANDARD RATE PROPOSED - DETAILS NOT DISCLOSED SIR JOSEPH PLAYS SAFE (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. There were shouts of “Hear, hear,” when Sir Joseph Ward mentioned the question of unemployment relief rates in the House last night, Labor members manifesting signs of interest. The Prime Minister began by stating that subsidies amounting to £BOO,OOO were authorised in 1928, and of that amount approximately £125,000 was still available. “I propose,” said Sir Joseph, “to ask for an increase of that amount to £400,000, which means fin extra £IOO,OOO above the maximum as provided in the existing law. That subsidy is based on a wages rate of 9s and 12 a day. The Government proposes to efnploy the whole 3000 men now on public works on 14s a day, instead of the 9s and 12s they are now receiving. (Hear, hear, from the Labor benches.) Air. F. Langstone: Alake it 16s. Sir Joseph said that 14s would bo paid in the country, but the rate of 9s and 12s a day would continue to be paid on relief work in the cities. It was the Government’s desire to draw the unemployed out* of the cities into the country. If 14s were paid in the cities the men would flock in from the country to take advantage 6f the conditions. ; .Sir Joseph added that if the local bodies desired they could make up the 9s and 12s to 14s in the city centres, but everyone of the 3000 men on railway work would receive 14s. NOT COAIAITTTING HIAISELF Air. Coates: There is not one railway man on 9s or 12s. You mean public works. Sir Joseph: A difference without, a distinction. He went on to say that there would be only one proviso, and that was that the men should bo physically lit to perforip the work. It was no use shutting one’s eyes to the fact that if married men were reduced to a rate on which they puld not live then someone had got 1 to pay. The moment the earning capacity was limited, then the money ordinarily in circulation became limited and the balance of trade and living was disturbed. ’ The Labor leader, Mr. Holland: Will you continue the subsidies to local bodies? Sir Joseph Ward: When they arc required. The really great demand is in the winter time, and we are getting ready now to absorb men at full rates of wages. t Air. A. AI. Samuel: Does that mean contracts? Sir Joseph: Well as a matter of fact there will be both.' Air. D. G. Sullivan: Will you give subsidies at the ?ate of £ for £ ? Sir Joseph: I am not going to give any off : liand statements. Every case must be considered. Air. Coates: Oh, you are not committing yourself. You are quite safe. Sir Joseph: It-would not do for me to be in the position of opmmitting the right hou. leader of the Opposition, for I would commit him to six months without a caution. (Loud laughter.)